SAUL & ESROM CHAPTER NINETEEN - Page 1

THREE DAYS LATER word of Enoch's miracle had become the talk of Jerusalem. Much was being said as well about the raising of Jairus' daughter. This story deeply disturbed the religious leaders because Jairus was one of their own number, a synagogue ruler. Annas, Caiaphas and their cohorts were very glad he lived so far north in Capernaum of Galilee. His testimony in the heart of Jerusalem might have swayed many more Jews who were undecided about the works of Jesus.

In the midst of this, Esrom visited the Jerusalem Temple for his regular sin sacrifice. While there, he observed first hand the controversy swirling around Jesus. Passover approached and tension filled the air. And he sensed something more, a new level of hostility seething just beneath the surface. Returning home, he reported to Miriam the recent split between Jephuneh and the other conspirators, Saul and Shallum.

Miriam looked puzzled. "Did they quarrel?

"Jephuneh has opened his mind to Jesus. They will never be reconciled again, unless . . . " Esrom's voice grew husky as he finished his statement, ". . . unless there is a great change in Saul."

"Saul has changed plenty in recent days."

"Yes. Not the change we desire. He has changed for the worse, not the better. He is more impatient, more critical, and not at all like his old self, and so unlike his father, Rabbi Benjamin and grandfather Ben-Lemuel. He speaks harshly, even bitterly about those who favor Jesus.'

"Jephuneh gives us hope. He has changed in the other direction. I saw him with his cousin Enoch at the Temple today. Enoch was telling everyone who would listen, how Jesus had cleansed his leprosy and had raised Jairus' daughter in Capernaum."

"How did the people at the Temple receive him?"

"As always, some believed, others said it could not have happened as he told it. And there were still those who said Jesus is empowered by Satan, and is a deceiver posing as a false Messiah." Lowering his voice, Esrom said, "Saul stands with this latter group, radically opposing Jesus. I saw him speaking with them, making motions, nodding approval. I am afraid, Miriam, very afraid Saul is being chosen as a leader against Jesus and his followers, including us. One of the teachers at the Temple told me even Caiaphas is now calling him for interviews. Unless there are some great changes, there are dark days ahead, Miriam."

"For Saul?"

"For us."